diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 6528f87..1cdf54a 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ branches:
     - "readme-edits"
 
 before_install:
+  - gem update --system
   # bundler installation needed for jruby-head
   # https://github.com/travis-ci/travis-ci/issues/5861
   - gem install bundler